Obscure Lens

Showcasing the Art of OBSCURE Photography!

Julia Hadji-Stylianou, Non Compos Mentis

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I never considered it ‘depression’ till I spoke up about the way I’d been feeling for years, and was urged to visit the doctor.
At this point, I was already creating a new body of work to do with the self and identity, exploring self-portraiture.  After I was told that the way I’d been feeling was in fact, entirely not normal, or ‘just my personality’ as I’d thought, I developed this project into a self-expression of my depression and anxiety. Being a mental illness often makes it easy to hide, especially with no obvious physical symptoms.
Obscure Lens Photography Feature
Obscure Lens Photography Feature
I wanted to express, through self-portraiture, what it felt like to feel the way I do. To have absolutely no self-worth or self-esteem, to be the punisher and the punished, to condemn all your successes and consider yourself undeserving of everything; a failure.

 

It is a difficult and fragile subject for me to talk about, and I felt I could communicate my feelings and emotions much better through photography. Call it therapeutic, I called it story-telling, in hope of reaching out to others also battling depression.

 

I still struggle with depression and anxiety today. There are good days, and there are bad days. It really is an emotional rollercoaster, and one can only take small steps at a time in attempt to get better. I still believe it is a part of me, it is what’s shaped me over the past 5 years.
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“Non compos mentis” is a Latin phrase meaning “not of sound mind”.

Who is Julia Hadji-Stylianou?

I love all things creative and artistic. I come from a very traditional fine art background at school. This led me into photography and video art at university, which are my main attributes. I still enjoying painting, drawing and crafting. My work covers a wide range of photography, including fine art photography, portraiture and self-portraiture, wildlife and nature photography, location and studio photography, digital/traditional film photography, events, weddings and fashion.

Born in 1990. Now lives between Desborough, UK and Larnaca, Cyprus.

2008-2009 De Montfort University: Foundation Degree in Art & Design
2009-2012 De Montfort University: BA (Hons) Photography & Video
2012-2013 De Montfort University: MA Photography

You can see more of her work on Facebook, Instagram, and Behance.